Book 3: Chapter 35
Garretts head was pounding, and he could feel dawn coming, threatening to push him out of the dream. More than anything else, he wanted to go to sleep, as he currently felt like a million elephants were trampling through his head. Such was the price to pay after balancing the sights and sounds through thousands of dream flowers, while also participating directly in the fight. There was still much to do, however, and he quickly put his new skills to good use, sending his awareness back up to the city surface and finding the cluster of flowers that was located at the Delvers Meat Packing plant. With a thought, he activated [Dream Seed], selecting an Overlord seed to plant before pumping his fading mental energy into it. Even with the replenishment of the Dreamers Throne, he was running on dregs after killing Agma-Yoth and subduing Lesraks flame, and he nearly didnt have enough energy to cause the large seed to hatch.
With a crack, the seed sprouted dozens of roots that spread out, a massive five petaled flower nearly a dozen times larger than the regular dream flowers following a moment later. The roots merged with the nearby dream flowers as it unleashed a powerful pulse of mental energy. Wherever that pulse spread, the flowers perked up, briefly turning to dip their petals in the direction of the Overlord Bloom. With each dip, Garrett felt the burden on his mind easing as direct control of the flowers were transferred to the massive bloom. He could still feel each of the individual flowers, but it was as if someone else was supporting them without him having to make room in his mind for them.
[All hail the Dreamer on the Throne.]
The Overlord Blooms voice was melodious but neutral.
[I am Somnia, at your service. What command do you have for me?]
About to answer, Garrett saw a new notification pop up and he faltered for a second. Shaking his head, he refocused, speaking to the Overlord Bloom through his mind.
Somnia, can you direct the fight against the zombies? I want to minimize casualties among flower holders, without revealing our abilities to the others participating in the fight.
[Yes, my lord.]
Feeling Somnias attention sweeping the battlefield, Garrett sent a message to Isabelle and Delrisa, and another to Ryn before looking at the notification that had appeared.
[You have successfully internalized much of Agma-Yoths strength, granting you access to the power of Lesrak that the Great Ruler had plundered. You may select one of Agma-Yoths skills.]
Skeletal Crown
The authority of Lesrek flows through you, granting you natural control over undead of all types.
-Your mental strength produces a suppressive effect on undead you encounter, causing them to instinctively avoid attacking you.
Skill Level: 1
Skeletal Hand
The power of Lesrek flows through you, granting you the ability to use Lesraks tools.
-You may select one of Lesraks artifacts, granting you the ability to use it:
-Cauldron of Souls
-Deaths Bed
-Staff of BonesUpdated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
-Lost Library of the Necromancer
Skill Level: 1
Of the two skills, Garrett was able to dismiss [Skeletal Hand] right away. Clearly, this was the ability that gave Agma-Yoth his title, but to Garrett it was less than useless. First, he had no desire to spend his time trapped in a coffin or making undead monstrosities, and though he thought that the Staff of Bones, and the Lost Library of the Necromancer sounded interesting, he didnt need Lesraks power to control them. Even if he wasnt currently strong enough to do it, so long as he kept growing, the Dreamers Throne would eventually allow him to subdue the mysterious artifacts anyway. That would grant him all four of them, rather than just one.
That left [Skeletal Crown], which was the ability that Garrett found more interesting anyway. As he selected it, he felt another pulse of energy radiating out from him, and felt his connection with the dream flowers in the flower ghouls and Delrisa strengthening. Letting out his breath, he opened up his status to see how he had grown.
STATUS
NAME: Garrett Klein
PATH: Path of the Watcher
Thats right.
Your men fight better than almost anyone Ive seen, the awakened warrior said, grinning. And your tactics are tight too. You sure youre not part of the army? Im pretty sure Ive seen that plant and sweep formation on the battlefield before.
Faint surprise colored Coleridges face as he took a better look at Maximus.
Ten years in the service of Port Reverie, and another ten fighting in the nobles war, Coleridge said, and my men with me.
That must be where I saw you. I fought in the nobles war as well.
Seeing Captain Fernek hurrying over, Leff nudged Maximus who turned around, his eyebrows rising when he saw the captains blood covered uniform.
Are you okay, captainuh.
Captain Fernek, Fernek said, introducing himself. Have the zombies all retreated?
Yes, it seems so, Leff replied, turning and scanning the dark graveyard.
Were there any major breaches?
No, not a single one, Coleridge said, spitting on the ground. Weve been running up and down the defensive line all night, and not even one zombie got through. There were some close calls, but the army showed up just in time. Same cant be said for the northwestern wall though. I hear the zombies broke through up there.
Looking like he didnt believe the mercenary commander, Captain Fernek peered down the line, but there were none of the screams or clashes of weapons that he had expected.
Werent there casualties? he asked, his voice full of disbelief.
Hundreds, spat Coleridge, his expression hard. Almost all of them citizens until the soldiers showed up and stepped in. We lost a couple men as well. None of whom would have fallen if your army had been doing their job and come at the beginning of the fight.
Though he wanted to protest that he and his men had been doing everything they could, the looks directed his way caused him to swallow his words. Instead of offering an excuse, he bowed his head.
You are correct. My deepest condolences for your losses. There is no excuse for the terrible way the army has acted this night.
Grimacing, Coleridge waved his hand.
You dont need to try that on me, Captain. I know just what the army is like. Its not the officers, Im sure, but those who stand above them. At least they came at all.
Hearing a loud roar in the distance, everyone turned to look toward the northern part of the district where they could see the flashes of power as the army and the Maragoth clashed. The six powerful warriors who had led the charge toward the beast were coordinating with the adventurers guild to keep the monster locked down, preventing it from charging south, despite its desperate attempts. Only a few minutes earlier, the dark energy that animated it had suddenly begun to burn away, leaving the undead monster weakened, and the powerful attacks hammering into it had weakened it even further. Sensing an opportunity, Kinsley, who had been resting at the side, suddenly stood up, causing Asher, who was next to him to flinch.
What are you doing?
Grinning, a crazy look in his eyes, Kinsley pointed at the struggling Maragoth as he spoke to Asher.
Hey, do you reckon that they give experience like the nightmares do?
Looking at the Maragoth and then at Kinsley, it took a moment for Asher to register what his companion was asking. When he did, he quickly shook his head.
Kinsley, no. Thats a bad idea. We have no idea if it does or not. It probably doesnt even give regular experience. The zombies didnt! Stop!
Too late, Kinsley said happily, flames starting to lick at his fingers as a bright ember appeared in his palms.
Taking a step back, Asher stared at Kinsley in disbelief as the red-headed awakeneds hair lit on fire. Letting out a hot breath, Kinsley fixed his eyes on the Maragoth and began to run forward. With each step he took, the flames in his hands grew hotter and their crimson glow crept higher on his hands. By the time he was close to the fight, he was sprinting at full speed, and flames were streaming out behind him. Pax, who had just smashed her mace into the Maragoths leg, saw the burning man coming from the corner of her eye, and heard Estels frantic shout. Abandoning any semblance of defense, Pax turned and sprinted away, moving as fast as she possibly could. As she did, she shouted for everyone to run.
Retreat! Evacuate!
A few of the army warriors stared at her in disbelief, but even the Maragoth had tried to turn and flee, making them realize that something was going on. Like a comet, Kinsley slammed into the Maragoths chest, the flames he had been building up exploding like a volcano. The explosion tore the undead creatures chest apart and the rolling flames that rose like a mushroom transformed anything they touched into ash. Bone was crushed by the shock wave and the corrupt mental energy was boiled away. Unable to escape due to the chains holding it down, the maragoth faced the brunt of Kinsleys attack and in its weakened state, it had no chance to survive. With a keening wail that was lost in the aftershock of the attack, the Maragoth collapsed, signaling the end of Lesraks March.
